Twitter has taken steps to stop the posting of “revenge porn” on the site and to prevent the spread of stolen nude photos, such as those of Jennifer Lawrence.

The social network has updated its rules governing the content that users can share, so consent is now required from the subject of the pictures.

The new private information clause added to its rules states: “You may not post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject’s consent.” It has added the same clause under its “threats and abuse” guidelines. Twitter’s rules already ban the publishing of credit card, address or national identity information.

Users reporting content shared without their consent will be required to verify their identity and prove their lack of consent.

Those who breach the site’s rules will have their accounts suspended.

Posting “revenge porn” images and video was made a criminal offence in England and Wales with prison sentences up to two years for those found guilty of posting content without the subjects consent.

The move by Twitter forms part of chief executive Dick Costolo’s push to try and make abusing people on the company’s platform more difficult and costly for those perpetrating the abuse while balancing freedom of speech.

Twitter tripled the size of its abuse report team and vowed to crackdown on trolls that were causing outspoken members of the public and those in the public spotlight leave the service, hounded by organised campaigns of abuse aimed at silencing the minority or dissenting voice.